Carla Lockhart resigns from DUP over Drumcree response

Carla Lockhart has resigned from the Democratic Unionist Party and will continue representing Upper Bann as an independent Unionist MP, saying the party’s response to the Drumcree dispute fell short of promised consequences. Lockhart said she informed DUP leader Gavin Robinson of her decision and would remain in the House of Commons. She said she did not intend to establish a new political party, but wanted to help build a grassroots unionist movement. She also said she planned to stand for re-election at the next Westminster election. The departure followed a dispute over how the DUP should respond to First Minister Michelle O’Neill’s participation in a protest on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. The protest took place on September 27, when demonstrators blocked an Orange Order parade from proceeding along the road. Police are investigating O’Neill and other Sinn Féin figures in connection with the protest. Its alleged unlawfulness has not been established in the reports. Lockhart had urged the DUP to withdraw Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly from office, a step that would have forced O’Neill from their joint role. The party did not take that action. Instead, it...